clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Morning Report: Michael Bisping interested in ‘retirement fight’ being at UFC Liverpool

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Michael Bisping has an event in mind for his farewell bout.

The former UFC middleweight champion said Wednesday on his “Believe You Me” podcast that he’d like to finish up his decorated career in his home country — at UFC Liverpool on May 27.

“UFC, I’m available,” Bisping said. “If you want me on that card, you got my number. … That’s a nice retirement fight. Liverpool. Northwest of England. That’s where I’m from.”

Bisping, 39, has been talking retirement since losing twice by finish back in November. Georges St-Pierre won the middleweight title from him at UFC 217 via third-round submission. Then, three weeks later, Kelvin Gastelum knocked Bisping out in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Shanghai.

Initially, there was talk that Bisping might finish out his career at UFC London earlier this month. But negotiations between him and the UFC broke down. If Bisping were to get a bout at UFC Liverpool, “The Count” said he would then hang up the gloves.

“I’m interested in fighting on that card,” Bisping said. “We’ll see. We’ll see what the UFC comes up with. But yeah, I’m definitely interested. For sure. That would be my last fight and then I can bugger off.”

When asked about a possible opponent, Bisping (30-9) said he wasn’t that interested in completing a trilogy vs. Luke Rockhold, which was a hot topic not too long ago. He also doesn’t want to face Vitor Belfort. Bisping said he gave the UFC a list of possibilities and he’s waiting to hear back.

“I spoke to the UFC already, I’m playing a little game here,” Bisping said. “I said to the UFC, ‘Throw some names my way.’ We’ll see. So we’ll see what they come back with.”


MUST-READ STORIES

Chaos. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson exchange heated remarks during chaotic UFC 223 conference call

Getting Rowdy. Ronda Rousey: There came a point when I was ‘just looking for an honorable way out’ of MMA

Blame the boss. Kamaru Usman blames Dana White for misconstruing “30 percent” comment

Surprise, surprise. Cub Swanson was “baffled” that Brian Ortega knocked out Frankie Edgar


VIDEO STEW

Chat Wrappers.

UFC 223 media conference call.

Stephan Bonnar in a pro-wrestling match.

Fedor dismissing concerns over him getting KOed a bunch lately.


LISTEN UP

Believe You Me. Bisping talks the possible Colby Covington vs. Rafael dos Anjos interim title match, the crazy flipping DQ from LFA and more.


SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Important distinction.

Sheesh.

Crunching numbers.

Get well soon.

They grow up too fast.

What a fight.

Damn.

Don’t call it a comeback.

Shredded already.

Hmm.

Team Khabib.

T-Wood & The Assassin Baby.

Questions.

Hello, Chile.

Creative?


FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Neil Magny (20-6) vs. Gunnar Nelson (16-3-1); UFC Liverpool, May 27.


TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2008: Cung Le became the Strikeforce middleweight champion by stopping Frank Shamrock at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le. In the co-main event that evening, Gilbert Melendez successfully defended his lightweight title, stopping Gabe Lemley with punches in the second round.


FINAL THOUGHTS

Jed Meshew took the Morning Report off Wednesday night due to personal matters. He will be back tomorrow.


EXIT POLL

Poll

Who won Wednesday’s UFC 223 conference call?

This poll is closed

  • 53%
    Khabib Nurmagomedov
    (501 votes)
  • 18%
    Tony Ferguson
    (176 votes)
  • 1%
    Joanna Jedrzejczyk
    (17 votes)
  • 6%
    Rose Namajunas
    (59 votes)
  • 19%
    None of the above
    (180 votes)
933 votes total Vote Now

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the MMA Fighting Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of all your fighting news from MMA Fighting